Open windows lead to falling babies

APD: Two children fell from separate Eagle River homes Tuesday evening

By BY MATT TUNSETH/Chugiak-Eagle River Star

Published: 2013.06.12 10:56 AM

Anchorage police say two children fell from second-story windows in Eagle River Tuesday evening in separate incidents.

A similar case last week sent an Anchorage baby to the hospital, and police spokeswoman Jennifer Castro said the the recent run of warm temperatures may have contributed to the accidents.

"People aren't used to having their windows wide open," Castro said Wednesday, June 12.

The Eagle River incidents occurred within 10 minutes of each other Tuesday night, Castro said. The first happened at around 9:30 p.m. on Regency Drive, where a 2-year-old fell out of a second story window. In that case, Castro said police found a screen in the home's driveway where the child fell.

"Screens aren't that strong, they're not that sturdy," she said.

The child was transported to a local hospital with injuries to its face.

Moments after responding to the first call, APD got a second call from a residence on Eagle Place Loop, where a baby fell out a second story window. Castro said medics also transported that child to a local hospital with an apparent head injury.

Castro said parents should be extra vigilant with open windows in the home. In the Anchorage case, she said furniture near a window likely contributed to the baby getting outside.

No one was cited by police in any of the three cases.

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